Are you unsatisfied with your Indiana registered agent? Or perhaps you’re currently serving as your own registered agent, but would rather hire a professional registered agent service instead?
The state of Indiana makes it rather easy to change your registered agent, but there are some details involved in the process that are worth reviewing.
In this guide, we’ll discuss all the relevant details of changing a registered agent in Indiana.
Guru Tip: If you would prefer to have a professional service deal with the paperwork and take over registered agent duties, hire a Indiana registered agent service. It’s just a small annual fee.
What Is an Indiana Registered Agent?
Why is a registered agent required for every limited liability company (LLC) or corporation? It all comes down to the fact that the state needs to be able to contact an official representative of your business if they need to deliver important documents to you, especially service of process.
Without a registered agent, you could remain unaware of a lawsuit against your business progressing through the court system.
Who Can Be an Indiana Registered Agent?
If you’re looking to change your company’s registered agent, it’s a good idea to know who is eligible to serve as one.
In Indiana, registered agents must have a physical street address in the state. P.O. boxes are not acceptable unless they’re accompanied by a Rural Route number. Additionally, Indiana registered agents are required to supply the Secretary of State with an official email address at which may be delivered electronic service of process, should it be needed.
Indiana registered agents may be either adult individuals who are residents of the state or businesses that are authorized to perform business transactions in Indiana. While a business entity is never permitted to act as its own registered agent, it is possible for an individual affiliated with the business entity to take on the responsibilities of registered agent. For an in-depth look at the state’s requirements, check out our full guide to Indiana registered agents.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Indiana
If you would like to change your registered agent for any reason, the process is simple.
The only form required is the Statement of Change of Registered Agent (form 56367) which can be easily completed online using the Indiana Secretary of State’s digital filing platform. Alternatively, you may complete and print the document as a PDF file here before mailing it to the Business Services Division of the Indiana Secretary of State. The document will require the following information:
- The entity’s name
- The current registered agent’s name
- The new registered agent’s name, address, and email
- The signature of an authorized individual
Change of Registered Agent Fee: There is no filing fee to change your registered agent in the state of Indiana.
Should You Hire a Professional Indiana Registered Agent Service?
Hiring a registered agent service like Northwest Registered Agent has some distinct advantages. First and foremost, compared to serving as your own agent, professional registered agent services allow you to keep your personal address private. They’re also much less expensive than hiring a lawyer or accountant to provide registered agent service.
An often-overlooked benefit is how easy it is to expand your Indiana business into other states if you choose a professional registered agent. They typically have offices in all 50 states, so if you begin transacting business in an additional state, your same registered agent service can handle that for you.
If you’re interested in hiring a professional registered agent service, take a look at our guide to the top service providers.
Conclusion
The process for changing a registered agent in Indiana isn’t a complicated one, but it’s certainly advisable to know exactly what you want to do ahead of time. If you know what you want going in, you’ll find that the process is really quite painless.
We hope this article answered your questions about changing your Indiana registered agent!